Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-24
fOETY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
HOUSE..

WASHINGTON, Jan. %.
Mr.. Hammond of Georgia, from the com.
mittee on the judiciary reported back sd-
versely the resolution calling on the attorney
general for information as to the legal au-
thority with which the directors of the Union
Pacific Railroad company consolidated that
company with the Kansas Pacific Railroad
company and the Denver Pacific Railroad
company, and reorganized the same under
the name of the Union Pacific Railroad com
pany, and under which this last named COM
pany issued stock and trust loans laid on the
table. The report accompanying the resolu-
tion states that the information desired will
be obtained if the joint resolution which
passed the House 4 few days ago-for the
investigation of the accounts of the Pacific
rallroads-shall become a law, and that for
~ years. rom Writ to Garland, it has be en-
uniformly held that the attorney general can
not legally give opinions when called upon
by Congress or its committees.
Mr.. Wilson of West Virginia, from the
committee on appropriations, reported the
District OF Columbia appropriation bill. 1t
was referred to committee of the whole
Mr.. Wallace of Louisiana offered a resolu-
ton asking the Judiciary committee by what
authority the Senate has assumed to extend
the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty without con-
sulting the House
Mr.. Latfoon of Kentucky, from the COM
mittee on public lands, reported back the bill
for the forfeiture of the New Orleans, Baton
Rouge and Vicksburg land grant, and to con-
firm titles to certain lands with Senate
amendments thereto, with the recomme nda-
ton that the amendments be concurred in.
Mr.. Blanchard Of Louisiana hoped that
would be done.
Mr.. Weaver of Iowa moved to refer the
bill and amendments to the committee of the
whole; lost-75 to l45.
The amendments were then concurred in
Isl to 81.
Mr.. Hill of Ohio, from the committee on
territories, reported back adversely the bill
tc open land communication with the terri
tory of Alaska; laid on the table.
The House resumed in the morning hour
the consideration of the bill increasing the
rate of pension allowed for total deafness to
$50 month. The opponents of the bill re-
framed from voting, and left the House
without quorum, and the bill went over
without action.
Mr.. Willis of Kentucky moved that the
House go into committee of the whole for
the further consideration of the river and
harbor bill the motion was agreed to-l56
to IL.
Mr.. Stone of Missouri opposed the bill be.
cause 80 per cent of the waterways appropri-
ated Tor were of only local Importance, and
because many of the appropriations were for
the continuance of works at places where
the balance already was sufficient TO answer
all the requirements for the next fiscal year.
Mr.. Catchings Of Mississippi made care
fully prepared speech explanatory and eulog-
istc Of the work of the Mississippi river
commission and in favor ofa continuance of
the Improvement in accordance with the
plans prepared by it, which he contended had
accomplished all that its most ardent friends
could wish.
The general debate then closed, the COM
mittee rose and the House at ). 80 adjourned.